1937 Talbot BI105 Roadster

Registration no. DLP 574 Chassis no. 4072

Footnotes

The most successful division of the Anglo-French Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq combine, Talbot might well have escaped takeover by Rootes in 1935 had it not been shackled to its weaker partners. The company's healthy position had been achieved by a succession of well-engineered products penned by its designer, Swiss-born Georges Roesch, whose obsession with the pursuit of high performance through increased engine revolutions led to some of the most memorable cars of the 1930s.

1931 saw the arrival of the 3.0-litre 105 powered by a new 'six' featuring staggered valves, a Roesch stratagem allowing for improved breathing. There was more technical innovation for 1933 in the form of Luvax adjustable dampers and the Roesch-designed, Wilson pre-selector gearbox, the latter augmented for 1935 by Talbot's famous automatic 'traffic clutch' which permitted sequential upward gear changes. Also new for '35 were a dropped chassis frame and a 3.4-litre model - the 110 - that would turn out to be the ultimate Roesch Talbot. One of the great makes of the 1930s, Talbot was axed by new masters Rootes in 1937.

This Talbot started life as a BI105 saloon before being re-bodied with a two-seat fabric-covered roadster body in the mid-1970s, at the same time a 110 engine was fitted. The car's history is uncertain prior to 1973 when it was purchased by Captain A.A. Barker, who carried out the restoration and conversion work. During the early/mid-2000s the car was mechanically rebuilt by world-famous Talbot specialists Archer's of Dunmow, including complete overhauls of the engine, gearbox and transmission, the latter now incorporating a high-ratio final drive. Bills totalling £21,000 are available for inspection.

The current owner purchased the Talbot in the Netherlands in 2015 and re-registered the car in the UK with its original number, 'DLP 574'. He went on to compete in numerous historic events including the Flying Scotsman Rally, but in 2017 the 110 engine failed and could not be repaired. Taken from another of the vendor's Talbots, a 105 engine of proven reliability was then installed, returning '4072' to its original mechanical specification.

Since 2015, further extensive restoration work has been carried out by recognised marque specialist I.S.Polson, with in excess of £70,000 being spent over the last five-or-so years. A most exciting Talbot combining sparkling acceleration with relaxed cruising capability, 'DLP 574' is offered with an old-style logbook, sundry bills, and a V5C Registration Certificate.